Beam-column clamp

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for clamping a beam to a first end of a column is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a clamping member and a leg projecting downwardly from the clamping member. The clamping member is composed of a central portion located between first and second opposing hook portions. At least one hole is defined in the clamping member. At least one fastener is received in the hole for clamping the clamping member to the beam. The leg, preferably in the shape of a collar, is adapted to be received within the first end of the column such that the central portion of the clamping member rests on the first end of the column.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to building construction, and in particular, to a clamp for securing a beam to a column.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the building construction process, it is typically necessary at some point to securely connect a beam to a column. One known beam to column connection, particularly useful for securing metal beams to metal columns, requires welding the beam to the column.

This prior art beam-column connection has numerous disadvantages. One of these disadvantages is that the use of welding equipment on construction sites creates a significant risk of fire. This in turn increases the cost of construction by increasing the cost of insurance.

Accordingly, there is a need for a beam column connection which does not require welding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved beam-column clamp which permits a beam to be secured to a column without welding.

According to a first aspect of the invention, an apparatus for clamping a beam to a first end of a column is provided. The apparatus comprises a clamping member and a leg projecting downwardly from the clamping member. The clamping member is composed of a central portion located between first and second opposing hook portions. At least one hole is defined in the clamping member. At least one fastener is received in the hole for clamping the clamping member to the beam. The leg, preferably in the shape of a collar, is adapted to be received within the first end of the column such that the central portion of the clamping member rests on the first end of the column.

According to a second aspect of the invention, an apparatus for clamping a beam to a first end of a column is provided. The first end of the beam comprises a flange having first and second opposing holes proximate to each edge of the flange. The apparatus comprises a clamping member and a leg projecting downwardly from the clamping member. The clamping member is composed of a central portion located between first and second opposing hook portions. An upper and lower hole is defined in each of the hook portions. The upper and lower holes of each hook portion are aligned with the hole in each flange. A fastener is received within the upper and lower holes of each hook portion and passes through the corresponding hole in the flange. The leg, preferably in the shape of a collar, is adapted to be received within the first end of the column such that the central portion of the clamping member rests on the first end of the column.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a top plan view of a clamping member of the first embodiment;

FIG. 2B is a front elevation view of a clamping member of the first embodiment;

FIG. 2C is a bottom -plan view of a clamping member of the first embodiment;

FIG. 2D is top perspective view of a clamping member of the first embodiment;

FIG. 2E is a side elevation view of a clamping member of the first embodiment;

FIG. 2F is a bottom perspective view of a clamping member of the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a top perspective view of a clamping member of the second embodiment;

FIG. 5B is a side elevation view of a clamping member of the second embodiment;

FIG. 5C is a bottom perspective view of a clamping member of the second embodiment;

FIG. 5D is a bottom plan view of a clamping member of the second embodiment;

FIG. 5E is a front elevation view of a clamping member of the second embodiment; and

FIG. 5F is a top plan view of a clamping member of the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a beam-column clamp apparatus 10 for clamping a beam 14 to a column 12 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The column 12 may have a first end, such as upper end 42, and a second end, such as lower end 44 which rests on a surface. The beam-column clamp apparatus 10 is particularly suited for securing an I-beam or other beam having a flange 16 to the column 12, which preferably has a hollow cylindrical shape.

Continuing to Refer to FIG. 1, braces 110 may be secured to the column 12 using any suitable fasteners, such as a rivet 112. The braces 110 may be used to improve the stability of the column 12 by connecting it to other structural members, such as other columns.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2A-F, the beam-column clamp apparatus 10 includes a clamping member 300. The clamping member 300 includes a central portion 302 located between two opposing hook portions 304. A leg 306 projects downwardly from the central portion 302. If the column 12 has a cylindrical shape, the leg 306 may be in the shape of a collar having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the column 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A-F, preferably, an inner threaded central hole 308 a is provided in the central portion 302 and outer threaded holes 308 b-c are provided in each of the hook portions 304. The central threaded hole 308 a receives central bolt 310 a and the outer holes 308 b-c receive outer bolts 310 b-c, respectively. Preferably, the central bolt 310 a has a hex socket head 312 to facilitate turning thereof by an Allen key or the like.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the lower end 44 of the column 12 includes a threaded opening 50 which receives an upper end of a threaded adjustment rod 52. The lower end of the adjustment rod 52 is connected to a foot plate 54. An adjustment nut 56 is secured to the adjustment rod 52.

The foot plate 54 has a plurality of holes 60 to receive fasteners 62 to secure the foot plate 54 to a surface, such as a foundation 70. Preferably, the foot plate 54 has a curved or “dished” surface.

The operation of the first embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-3.

The clamping member 300 is fitted on to the end of the beam 14 and slides along the flange 16 until it reaches the desired location. The clamping member 300 is then clamped to the beam by tightening the bolts 310 a-c until they abut against the flange 16 of beam 14.

The upper end 42 of the column 12 is positioned under the clamping member 300 such that the upper end 42 is aligned with the leg or collar 306. The column 12 is then raised until the leg or collar 306 is received within the upper end 42 of column 12 (such that the upper end 42 abuts against the central portion 302). The threaded rod 52 is then turned using the nut 56 until the foot plate 54 is in contact with the foundation 70. The fasteners 62 are then used to secure the foot plate 54 to the foundation 70. As a result, the threaded rod 52 is prevented from rotating because it is secured to the foundation 70 at its lower end. The column 12 is prevented from rotating relative to the threaded rod 52, because to do so would require the column 12 to move vertically. The column 12 is prevented from moving vertically because it is secured to the flange 16 of the beam 14 at the column's upper end 42 by the clamping member 300.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that all three bolts 310 a-c are not essential to clamp the clamping member 300 to the beam. The clamping member may be clamped to the beam using bolt 310 a, in which case bolts 310 b,c and corresponding holes 308 b,c are not necessary. Alternatively, the clamping member 300 may be clamped by bolts 310 b,c, in which case bolt 310 a and corresponding hole 308 a are not necessary.

FIGS. 4 and 5A-F show a beam-column clamp apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, like parts have been assigned like reference numbers and will not be further described.

The beam-column clamp apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a clamping member 400 with two additional threaded holes 320 a,b in the upper part of each hook portion 304. Two nuts 330 are provided for outer bolts 310 b,c to clamp the hook portions 304 onto the flange 16 of beam 14.

The operation of the second embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5A-F. The clamping member 400 is placed in the desired position on the beam 14 in the same manner as described for the first embodiment above. Holes 308 a-c may be pre-drilled in the clamping member. Holes 320 a and 320 b in the upper part of hook portions 304 and holes 322 a, 322 b (only 322 b is shown) in the flange 16 of the beam 14 may be drilled after positioning the clamping member 400 on beam 14. The holes 320 a,b and 322 a,b may be drilled by placing a drill into pre-manufactured holes 308 b,c. Bolts 310 b,c are then located in the corresponding openings and secured using nuts 330. Bolt 310 a is secured in the same manner as for the first embodiment. The column 12 is connected to the clamping member 400 in the same manner as described for the first embodiment above.

While the present invention as herein shown and described in detail is fully capable of attaining the above-described objects of the invention, it is to be understood that it is the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention and thus, is representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention, that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present invention, for it is to be encompassed by the present claims. 

1. An apparatus for clamping a beam to a first end of a column, the column having a second end securable to a surface, the apparatus comprising: a) a clamping member comprising a planar central portion located between a first and second opposing hook portions, the clamping member defining at least one hole therein; b) a leg projecting downwardly from the clamping member, wherein the leg is adapted to be received within the first end of the column such that the central portion of the clamping member rests on the first end of the column; c) at least one fastener received in the at least one hole and adapted for clamping the clamping member to the beam.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one hole is located in the central portion.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one hole is a threaded hole.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one hole comprises a first outer hole and a second outer hole, and the at least one fastener comprises a first fastener and a second fastener, wherein the first outer hole is located in the first hook portion and the second outer hole is located in the second hook portion, wherein each of the first and second outer holes receive a fastener therein to-clamp the beam.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first and second outer holes are threaded holes and the fasteners are threaded fasteners.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one hole comprises a first outer hole located in the first hook portion, a second outer hole located in the second hook portion, and a central hole located in the central portion, wherein the central hole and the first and second outer holes are adapted to receive a fastener therein to clamp the beam.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the central hole and the first and second outer holes are threaded holes, and the fasteners are threaded fasteners.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the leg comprises a collar having an outer diameter adapted to be received within the first end of the column.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the second end of the column defines a threaded opening.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: a) a threaded rod received in the threaded opening; and b) a foot plate connected to a lower end of the threaded rod, wherein the foot plate is adapted for being secured to the surface; wherein the threaded rod is rotatable to bring the foot plate in contact with the surface.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a nut secured to the threaded rod, wherein the threaded rod is rotated by turning the nut.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the foot plate has a dished surface.
 13. An apparatus for clamping a beam to a first end of a column, the beam comprising a flange having a first and second opposing holes proximate to the edges of the flange, the column having a second end securable to a surface, the apparatus comprising: a) a clamping member comprising a planar central portion located between a first and second opposing hook portions, each of the hook portions defining a lower hole and an upper hole, the lower hole and upper hole of the first hook portion being aligned with the first hole in the flange, the lower hole and upper hole of the second hook portion being aligned with the second hole in the flange; b) a first fastener received in the lower hole and upper hole of the first hook portion, and a second fastener received in the lower and upper hole of the second hook portion, wherein the first fastener is adapted to pass through the first hole in the flange and the second fastener is adapted to pass through the second hole in the flange; and c) a leg projecting downwardly from the clamping member, wherein the leg is adapted to be received within the first end of the column such that the central portion of the clamping member rests on the first end of the column.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a central fastener, wherein the central fastener is received in a central hole defined in the central portion.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the leg comprises a collar having an outer diameter adapted to be received within the first end of the column.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the second end of the column defines a threaded opening.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising: a) a threaded rod received in the threaded opening; and b) a foot plate connected to a lower end of the threaded rod, wherein the foot plate is adapted for being secured to the surface; wherein the threaded rod is rotatable to bring the foot plate in contact with the surface.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a nut secured to the threaded rod, wherein the threaded rod is rotated by turning the nut.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the foot plate has a dished surface.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the upper and lower outer holes and central hole are threaded holes, and the central, first, and second fasteners are threaded fasteners. 